MALVERN TOWN U16s 3, ALCESTER ATHLETIC U16s 2

MALVERN Town U16s played Alcester Athletic U16s for the first time in the Mercian Festival Junior League at Victoria Park and continued their winning league run.

Again Malvern managed to concede a goal within the first ten minutes when Robert Preston scored for Alcester. Chris Wynne had a shot saved by the Alcester keeper on 15 minutes but four minutes later, Matt Hutchinson levelled the scores after a goalmouth scramble. Both teams stepped up the tempo in an effort to find another goal and Malvern had several shots over the bar until, on 29 minutes, Matt Hutchinson scored his second. Alcester fought back and on 31 minutes Dan Harris pulled off a good save from an Alcester free-kick. In the dying minutes of the half Joe Blain shot just wide leaving the half-time score at 2-1.

The second-half started with Matt Hutchinson narrowly missing completing his hat-trick. In the 54th minute, Malvern were awarded a penalty which Jon Griffiths took and the Alcester keeper saved but less than a minute later Malvern were awarded another penalty. Joe Blain took this one and buried the ball in the back of the net to make the score 3-1. Despite peppering the Alcester goal and forcing a save by a defender on the goal-line on 66 minutes, Malvern were unable to increase their lead. In the dying seconds of the game, Robert Preston pulled back another goal for Alcester to make the final score 3-2.

Town U16s are sponsored by Gas Appliance Showrooms Ltd.

NEWTOWN SPORTS COLTS U15S 1, OLDBURY PARK U15s 5

NEWTOWN Sports Colts crashed to an uncharacteristic defeat to Oldbury Park last Sunday.

Against a strong team, the Colts struggled to get a grip on the game. The midfield of Newell, Edwards, Allison, Caffull and Jaye found it difficult to retain possession in a first-half that lacked any real pattern. Buckle and Crane found it difficult to create any real openings for the Colts, while Roskams, Scullion and White were always being tested at the back. The first goal came from a dead-ball situation, Scullion was adjudged to have fouled an Oldbury striker in the box and Oldbury duly scored from the spot.

In the second-half, Morse, Powell and Budd came on to freshen things up for the Colts, but with no real quality, it was Oldbury who extended their lead with a well-worked goal. They grabbed a third when Johnson was undone direct from a free-kick. Caffull restored some respectability for the Colts, but two further goals in the last few minutes exaggerated the scoreline, although Oldbury were worthy winners against a lacklustre Colts team.

LYPPARD RANGERS PUMAS U13S 2,

NEWTOWN SPORTS JUNIORS U13S 17

A ONE-SIDED Mercian League encounter at Diglis saw the Juniors romp to an emphatic victory.

The only surprise was that it took them seven minutes to open the scoring when Watling followed up to net but then the floodgates opened as the Juniors rattled in nine more before half-time. Turner's pace was too much for the Pumas as twice he raced through to score and a snapshot from the same player gave him a first-half hat-trick. Bannister netted from the spot and a long range lob gave him a brace whilst excellent finishing from Morton and Roskams added to the tally. Mallet benefited from a wicked deflection and Watling waltzed through for the tenth.

Changes by both teams at the break did briefly change the pattern of the game as Pumas had more of the ball. They were awarded a penalty that Harper converted and Parker did likewise for the Juniors. The spirited Pumas hit back with a marvellous Harper strike from ten yards. Juniors were rocked by this and reverted to the team ethic that brought another glut of goals. Rock netted with a follow-up and then Carlen slipped home Rock's cross. Morton then displayed his skills with a neat finish and a tap-in. Puffet notched the 16th and Carlen made it 17 when he managed to divert the ball home.

Man-of-the-match was Bradley Morton.

LEIGH AND BRANSFORD BADGERS WANDERERS U9s 1, NEWTOWN COLTS U9s 0

THE Colts started the game slowly and the Badgers could have opened their account in the first minute but for some fine defending from Max Middlebrook.

The deadlock was broken when a Liam Sinclair-Preece shot gave the Colt's goalkeeper no chance. This spurred Newtown into action and Alex Doyle had a good run and shot saved by the Badger's goalkeeper.

Leigh started the second-half well and could have doubled their lead but for an excellent goal-line clearance from Anders Wilson which kept the Colts in the game. Alex Doyle and Ben Jackson both went close but the Colts could not find a way past Badgers' goalkeeper Kyle Hobday.

Newtown Colts are sponsored by A J Taylor.